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Blue holly 'Blue Princess'

Ilex x meserveae is an evergreen perennial. In late spring and early summer, white flowers appear, and these develop into bright red berries for autumnal interest. These are often used for Christmas decorations or to attract birds into winter gardens. I. x meserveae has blue-green leaves, which compliment the purplish bark. I. x meserveae should be planted in full sun or partial shade and provided with a moist yet well-drained soil. Male and female plants are required for the berries to appear. I. x meserveae is perfect for hedging, shrubby borders, topiary or as specimen trees.

Ilex, commonly called holly, is an evergreen shrub that can grow very high. Small inconspicuous flowers are produced in the summer, and these develop into bright red berries during the autumn as long as both male and female plants are present. Ilex is extremely hardy and grows in aspects from full sun to dense shade. It prefers a well-drained and dry soil, but can tolerate many various compost types. Holly is ideal as a boundary hedge, and can also be planted as a specimen tree or clipped into a shrubby topiary shape.

Ilex aquifolium, also known as common holly, is a large evergreen tree. Though the white flowers are rather inconspicuous, common holly develops beautiful and vivid red berries in the autumn. I. aquifolium is a versatile plant and grows in full sun through to dense shade. Whilst drought tolerant once it’s established, common holly needs regular watering when first planted. Its berries are commonly used as Christmas decorations and are a food source for birds during the winter. Common holly can be used a hedging, topiary or allowed to grow into a specimen tree.

Ilex crenata is an evergreen hedging plant. Often known as box leaved hedging, ilex crenata is unlike other hollies in the fact that it has no prickles. It’s therefore, an ideal alternative to box hedging, hence its common name. I. crenata can be grown in aspects from full sun to partial shade, and tolerates most soil types apart from those that are waterlogged. In summer it produces small white flowers that develop into black autumn berries for seasonal interest. It’s an ideal hedging plant, but can also be used effectively as topiary.

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